Gascoigne: Paul Gascoigne, one of England's finest and most controversial players, became a manager for the first time yesterday at minor league Kettering Town. "Gazza" is part of a consortium that has taken over the Midlands club, which was founded in 1872 and has been drawing crowds of about 1,000 to games this season. "It might be non-league football for now but there are very exciting times ahead," Gascoigne, 38, told a news conference. "I'm excited, I feel good and I'm really looking forward to it."
Kirkland: Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland will miss West Bromwich Albion's next two matches against Newcastle United and West Ham United after suffering a kidney injury against Bolton Wanderers last Sunday. The club's website confirmed he took a severe knock during the 2-0 Premier League defeat at the Reebok Stadium and although the injury is not serious he has been ordered not to play on medical grounds. Kirkland, on loan from Liverpool, has been an ever-present for West Brom in the league this season. Goalkeeper Russell Hoult will now be recalled from his loan period at third division Nottingham Forest.
Partizan Belgrade: Serbia and Montenegro champions Partizan Belgrade were upset by third division Timok Zajecar when they lost their domestic cup second round tie at home on penalties on Wednesday. The visitors won the shootout 6-5 after the match ended 1-1 in regular time, having scored a 90th-minute goal to cancel out Obiora Odita's 40th-minute opener for Partizan. It was the third straight defeat for Partizan's German coach Juergen Roeber, who took over from Vladimir Vermezovic last month but has failed to end a string of poor results rocking the club.
Chelsea Link: Hibernian manager Tony Mowbray has welcomed a possible tie-up with English Premier League champions Chelsea to develop young players. "We are in initial talks and I don't see why we should not welcome it," Mowbray said. "As long as our supporters know we would not do anything that would be detrimental to this club. But we are producing good youngsters and we would need to see what age they (Chelsea) are looking at targeting players and what recompense comes our way - whether that's financial or whether we get players in".
Benfica: Benfica have abandoned plans to sign an emergency goalkeeper even though UEFA gave them the green light for a stand-in for their two injured keepers, a club official said yesterday. He added that Benfica's medical department expected Quim Silva, the team's second choice keeper, to recover in 10 days. First choice Moreira is out for six months.
Primera Liga: Yesterday's results - A. Madrid vs Cadiz 3-0; Alaves vs Espanyol 1-1; Real Sociedad vs Getafe 3-0; Zaragoza vs Racing Santander 1-1; Valencia vs Sevilla 0-2.